What The Heck Is Lawn Irrigation Backflow?
Lawn irrigation backflow is not a good thing. In fact, it's something you don't want to have, unless you enjoy wasting water and your money and quite possibly breaking your municipality zoning laws. Usually, most modern lawn sprinkler systems have lawn irrigation backflow devices already installed in them. If your sprinkler or lawn irrigation system does not have one, they can be attached by a plumber or lawn care professional.
Why Is It So Bad?
Lawn irrigation backflow is hard to explain in just words and not pictures. Basically, it means that the water is not getting to where it's supposed to go, due to problems in water pressure or plumbing. Instead of the water traveling merrily along through the pipes and out the sprinkler head at the designed spray length, the water is staying in the pipes or even flowing backwards.
This might sound innocent enough, but think about where your water for your lawn sprinkler or irrigation system comes from. It comes from the water drinking supply. Lawns are notorious for using lots of nasty chemicals that should not be in the water supply.
Lawn irrigation backflow means the water can often travel back down into the public water supply through low pressure or a siphoning action or even through chemicals designed to keep the pipes clean. There are many states, towns and counties in America that have strong laws against backflow, requiring that you get and maintain lawn irrigation backflow devices.
You also want to check the laws on how often your lawn irrigation backflow devices need to be checked. You really should get your lawn sprinkler or lawn irrigation system checked out annually anyway, but some places don't make you by law. However, if you are worried about wasting water and about the quality of your drinking water, please consider getting your lawn irrigation backflow device checked regularly.
Who Inspects These Things?
If you are not a DIY kind of person, there are many professionals that can check out your lawn irrigation system and lawn irrigation backflow devices for you. If you already have a lawn care professional, they should be able to check your system. If they aren't sure of what they're doing, they'll get you a recommendation to someone who does. If you have a big lawn such as for a golf course or for college campuses or strip malls, inspection is usually considered part of regular service.
